Vice President of Sporting Operations & Strategy

Position Summary

The Vice President of Sporting Operations & Strategy will work closely with the President/General Manager to oversee all aspects of sporting operations, including strategic approach, scouting and recruitment, performance analysis, team operations, medical and performance, and player development.

This position will serve as a bridge between the coaching staff, the President/General Manager, and other departments to ensure alignment and the successful execution of the club’s sporting goals.

This role operates at both a strategic and operational level—setting standards, building and maintaining frameworks, and supporting soccer decisions across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

Staff Management

• Support the hiring of sporting staff.
• Supervise and develop sporting staff, including the implementation of a high-performance working environment.
• Ensure consistent communication and alignment across sporting departments.
• Establish staff development plans and long-term department planning to foster internal leadership pathways and promote long-term stability within the sporting leadership structure.

Playing Methodology

• Work with the President/General Manager and Head Coach to define and maintain the club’s playing philosophy and principles of play.
• Ensure clarity and consistency across the organization.
• Translate philosophy into clear positional profiles, role expectations, and performance benchmarks for players.

Technical & Coaching Support

• Work closely with the Head Coach and technical staff on key tactical areas, including game strategy, player development, training, opposition analysis, and in-game decision-making.
• Partner with the Head Coach to manage and oversee the roles and responsibilities of the technical staff.
• Ensure performance management and communicate technical staff matters to the President/General Manager.
• Serve as a point of contact between the technical staff and the President/General Manager to ensure alignment between coaching decisions, player development, and club objectives.

Player Development

• Support the design and oversight of a comprehensive player development framework, including individual development plans (IDPs), role progression, and evaluation standards.
• Support a holistic approach to player development across technical, tactical, physical, and psychological dimensions in partnership with medical and performance teams.
• Codify a clear technical DNA that promotes consistency, shared language, and long-term continuity.
• Partner with the President/General Manager to formalize a partnership with Michigan Futbol Academy (MFA) and build an integrated player development pathway.

Roster Planning

• Work with the President/General Manager to establish the roster construction plan, including the intentional distribution of spend across the playing squad.
• Serve as a partner on roster decisions and succession planning.
• Support roster decisions with presentations and reports to guide sporting leadership decision-making.

Scouting & Recruitment

• Lead player signing decisions, including sourcing and evaluation of targets.
• Build infrastructure and processes that lead to high-probability decisions (player databases, position profiles, evaluation rubrics, data integrations).
• Participate in advanced-stage player evaluations and recruitment discussions, including agent and club interactions as appropriate.
• Act as a key contact for agents and other clubs regarding deal flow and negotiations.

Strategic Initiatives

• Collaborate with the President/General Manager to develop and implement a cohesive sporting strategy aligned with long-term goals and club vision.
• Work closely with sporting operations leadership to ensure alignment across coaching, performance, operations, and recruitment.
• Provide technical leadership over player identification and evaluation frameworks.
• Ensure all sporting operations comply with league rules and club policies while maintaining high standards of integrity and governance.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in a leadership position.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sports Management, or a related field and/or USSF License (or international equivalent).
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience operating in a high-performance professional soccer environment.
• Proven ability to lead and align multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience shaping or stewarding a playing philosophy and player development framework.
• Strong understanding of professional soccer (MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, or USL experience preferred).
• Track record of effective collaboration with coaching, recruitment, and performance functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and foster a collaborative environment.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within the professional soccer landscape.
• Experience coaching or educating coaches.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including budget planning and execution.
• Conversational Spanish proficiency.
• Passion for the growth of professional soccer in the United States.

Essential Functions

• Maintain courteous, effective, and professional working relationships across all levels of the organization and with sponsors.
• Follow company policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding partner and club matters.
• Meet attendance standards, deadlines, and scheduled meetings.
• Adapt quickly to changes in business operations.
• Consistently meet or exceed club standards of professionalism.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal skills and an approachable personality.
• Perform effectively under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Thrive as a reliable team player in a collaborative environment.
• Make sound decisions with integrity and accountability in a fast-paced setting.
• Effectively manage time and multitask as required.